From: Center for Food Safety [action@foodsafetynow.org]
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2001 4:33 PM
To: FDA Commissioner
Cc: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov; president@whitehouse.gov;
vice.president@whitehouse.gov
Subject: Remove rBGH from the market!
FDA Commissioner
Food and Drug Administration
5630 Fishers Lane
Room 1061 (HFA-305)
Rockville, MD 20852
RE: Docket No. 98P-1194
Dear FDA:
On January 19, 1999, the Center for Food Safety and numerous other
organizations and individuals filed a legal petition with the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) asking that the approval of genetically
engineered bovine growth hormone (rBGH) (also known as rBST or Posilac®)
be withdrawn. As a concerned citizen, I am writing to request that you
immediately remove rBGH from the market.
In 1999, scientists from Health Canada found that the FDA failed to
investigate studies showing that rBGH could lead to potential human health
problems. In particular, these pre-approval studies found that the oral
feeding of rBGH led to thyroid cysts and prostate activity in male rats.
The study also concluded that significant animal health problems were
associated with rBGH use in dairy cows including a 50% risk increase of
lameness and a 25% risk increase in mastitis (udder infections). This
new analysis has confirmed earlier scientific studies and provided
evidence that milk and dairy products derived from rBGH-treated cows pose
significant potential human health impacts such as increased cancer risks
and the development of antibiotic resistance.
We have a fundamental expectation that the FDA will act to protect the
American public by ensuring the safety and quality of our food supply. I
find it particularly appalling that the FDA allows rBGH on the market even
though Canada and the European Union refuse to approve this dangerous
product because of the clear findings of potential risk. It is my
understanding that the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act mandates that evidence
of imminent health hazards caused by animal drugs, such as those revealed
about rBGH, require the FDA to withdraw such products from the market. I
support the Center for Food Safety and other organizations that have filed
a legal petition seeking that the FDA fulfill this legal obligation. From
now on I will only purchase products that do not use rBGH, and will urge
my coworkers, family, and friends to do the same.
I request that you please take immediate action to remove this potentially
hazardous product from the market.
Sincerely,
Kerri Mikkelsen
Kerri Mikkelsen
2007 Eastlake Ave E Apt 25
Seattle, WA, 98102
CC:
FDA Dockets Management Branch, docket 98P-1194
President Bush
Vice President Cheney
Senator Patty Murray
Senator Maria Cantwell
Representative Jim McDermott
To the recipient -- this fax/email message has come to you via the Center
for Food Safety web site -- a public tool for providing input on food
safety issues. The user/site visitor had complete control over editing the
content of this message. Thus, the opinions expressed in this message are
not necessarily those of CFS or its parent organization, ICTA. Please
contact CFS at (202)547-9359 or email office@centerforfoodsafety.org with
any questions. Thank you.
___________________________________________________________________________
This letter was composed at www.foodsafetynow.org, a web site maintained
by:
The Center for Food Safety, 666 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, Suite 302
Washington, DC 20003
PH: (202)547-9359 Fax: (202)547-9429
Email: office@centerforfoodsafety.org
web: www.centerforfoodsafety.org